Jeriome Robertson

Dusty Baker had a chat Sunday morning with Kenny Lofton morning after watching him pressing at the plate during his first four games as a Cub. Lofton, 1-for-17 entering the series finale with Houston, then knocked out three hits to energize the Cubs in a 5-3 win over the Astros before 42,422 at Minute Maid Park. "Vintage Kenny Lofton," the Cubs' manager said. Baker's words hit home with the East Chicago, Ind., native, who admitted coming home to Chicago again was a little stressful.

Bumped from Houston's star-studded rotation earlier this spring and sent to the minors this week, Jeriome Robertson was traded by the Astros to the Cleveland Indians on Wednesday. In exchange for Robertson, who led major-league rookies with 15 wins last year, the Indians gave up outfielder Luke Scott and the rights to outfielder Willy Taveras. Robertson went 15-9 with a 5.10 ERA in 2003, but the left-hander was dropped from the Astros' starting staff when Roger Clemens and Andy...

Ken Griffey Jr. strained his right calf while running out a ground ball Monday night and left the Cincinnati Reds' game against Pittsburgh as a precaution. In each of the last three seasons, the outfielder sustained a major injury in the final week of spring training or the first week of the regular season. Griffey, 34, hadn't been hurt this spring, running easily on his surgically repaired ankle, but he's hitting just .158. Derek Lowe, citing what he described as...

Ken Griffey Jr. strained his right calf while running out a ground ball Monday night and left the Cincinnati Reds' game against Pittsburgh as a precaution. In each of the last three seasons, the outfielder sustained a major injury in the final week of spring training or the first week of the regular season. Griffey, 34, hadn't been hurt this spring, running easily on his surgically repaired ankle, but he's hitting just .158. Derek Lowe, citing what he described as...

Carlos Zambrano's days of anonymity may soon be a thing of the past. While the 22-year-old right-hander has been able to succeed in the shadows of his All-Star teammates, Kerry Wood and Mark Prior, he's stepping to the forefront now that the Cubs are in the thick of a pennant race. Zambrano earned his fifth straight win Tuesday night, hurling his first complete-game shutout in a 3-0 win over the Houston Astros before 39,751 at Wrigley Field. Manager Dusty Baker said Zambrano doesn't care...

Roger Clemens' spirit is willing. But there is growing sentiment that concerns about his body will deter the Rocket from unretiring and joining Andy Pettitte in Houston. Immediately after Pettitte spurned George Steinbrenner to sign a three-year deal for less money with the Astros, it became clear Clemens was intrigued about joining his former Yankees teammate in trying to bring a World Series to their hometown. As recently as the winter meetings, sources close to Clemens and the Astros...

The last two times the Houston Astros won the National League Central Division, they accomplished the feat on the final day of the season. Now they only can hope it comes to that. The Astros, facing a Milwaukee Brewers team challenging for the worst record in the division, played themselves to near elimination with a 12-5 loss Friday night at Minute Maid Park. The loss left them a half-game behind the Cubs and cost them at least temporary control over their fate. If the Cubs win their remaining three...

The last two times the Houston Astros won the National League Central Division, they accomplished the feat on the final day of the season. Now they only can hope it comes to that. The Astros, facing a Milwaukee Brewers team challenging for the worst record in the division, played themselves to near elimination with a 12-5 loss Friday night at Minute Maid Park. The loss left them a half-game behind the Cubs and cost them at least temporary control over their fate. If the Cubs win their remaining three...

While Dusty Baker juggles his pitching rotation to align his aces during the regular season's final days, the Houston Astros will stick to their plan. This is not good news for the Cubs. If the season goes to a 163rd game with a Monday playoff at Wrigley Field, the Cubs will face baseball's hottest pitcher, one who has been dominant against them in particular. Roy Oswalt (10-5) will not be moved up to pitch against the Milwaukee Brewers on Sunday and will be waiting for the Cubs.

The Houston Astros fell a half-game behind the Cubs Friday night in the National League Central, losing 12-5 in a dismal performance against the lowly Milwaukee Brewers when they had a chance to take the division lead. Because the Cubs were rained out against Pittsburgh and forced into a doubleheader Saturday, they could win the National League Central with a doubleheader sweep of the Pirates on Saturday coupled with an Astros loss. But Houston can stave off elimination with a victory and has...

The Houston Astros fell a half-game behind the Cubs Friday night in the National League Central, losing 12-5 in a dismal performance against the lowly Milwaukee Brewers when they had a chance to take the division lead. Because the Cubs were rained out against Pittsburgh and forced into a doubleheader Saturday, they could win the National League Central with a doubleheader sweep of the Pirates on Saturday coupled with an Astros loss. But Houston can stave off elimination with a victory and has...

While Dusty Baker juggles his pitching rotation to align his aces during the regular season's final days, the Houston Astros will stick to their plan. This is not good news for the Cubs. If the season goes to a 163rd game with a Monday playoff at Wrigley Field, the Cubs will face baseball's hottest pitcher, one who has been dominant against them in particular. Roy Oswalt (10-5) will not be moved up to pitch against the Milwaukee Brewers on Sunday and will be waiting for the Cubs.

This talk of the PGA changing the rules to allow only men to play--well, I think we can all see why some of these mopes had no problem with Hootie Johnson's social conscience. Or maybe they don't want to get cooties. Look, you want to make Annika Sorenstam irrelevant, then score better. CAPPED OFF: Sorenstam wore a hat with "Ms. 59" on the back. Presumably that's a reference to the boys from the PGA stuck in a 1959 mindset. SHOWTIME: Yeah, Sorenstam made the Colonial a circus,...

Jeriome Robertson won his 14th game, the most among rookies this season, and the Houston Astros regained sole possession of first place in the NL Central by beating the Milwaukee Brewers 3-1 Wednesday night. Houston, which scored three runs in the first inning, had been tied for the lead with the Cubs since Monday. Robertson (14-7) matched the Astros' rookie record for wins, set when Roy Oswalt went 14-3 two years ago, and sent Milwaukee to its sixth straight loss. Robertson, who worked out...

Jeriome Robertson won his 14th game, the most among rookies this season, and the Houston Astros regained sole possession of first place in the NL Central by beating the Milwaukee Brewers 3-1 Wednesday night. Houston, which scored three runs in the first inning, had been tied for the lead with the Cubs since Monday. Robertson (14-7) matched the Astros' rookie record for wins, set when Roy Oswalt went 14-3 two years ago, and sent Milwaukee to its sixth straight loss. Robertson, who worked out...

Carlos Zambrano's days of anonymity may soon be a thing of the past. While the 22-year-old right-hander has been able to succeed in the shadows of his All-Star teammates, Kerry Wood and Mark Prior, he's stepping to the forefront now that the Cubs are in the thick of a pennant race. Zambrano earned his fifth straight win Tuesday night, hurling his first complete-game shutout in a 3-0 win over the Houston Astros before 39,751 at Wrigley Field. Manager Dusty Baker said Zambrano doesn't care...

Bumped from Houston's star-studded rotation earlier this spring and sent to the minors this week, Jeriome Robertson was traded by the Astros to the Cleveland Indians on Wednesday. In exchange for Robertson, who led major-league rookies with 15 wins last year, the Indians gave up outfielder Luke Scott and the rights to outfielder Willy Taveras. Robertson went 15-9 with a 5.10 ERA in 2003, but the left-hander was dropped from the Astros' starting staff when Roger Clemens and Andy...

Dusty Baker had a chat Sunday morning with Kenny Lofton morning after watching him pressing at the plate during his first four games as a Cub. Lofton, 1-for-17 entering the series finale with Houston, then knocked out three hits to energize the Cubs in a 5-3 win over the Astros before 42,422 at Minute Maid Park. "Vintage Kenny Lofton," the Cubs' manager said. Baker's words hit home with the East Chicago, Ind., native, who admitted coming home to Chicago again was a little stressful.

Roger Clemens' spirit is willing. But there is growing sentiment that concerns about his body will deter the Rocket from unretiring and joining Andy Pettitte in Houston. Immediately after Pettitte spurned George Steinbrenner to sign a three-year deal for less money with the Astros, it became clear Clemens was intrigued about joining his former Yankees teammate in trying to bring a World Series to their hometown. As recently as the winter meetings, sources close to Clemens and the Astros...

This talk of the PGA changing the rules to allow only men to play--well, I think we can all see why some of these mopes had no problem with Hootie Johnson's social conscience. Or maybe they don't want to get cooties. Look, you want to make Annika Sorenstam irrelevant, then score better. CAPPED OFF: Sorenstam wore a hat with "Ms. 59" on the back. Presumably that's a reference to the boys from the PGA stuck in a 1959 mindset. SHOWTIME: Yeah, Sorenstam made the Colonial a circus,...